Virtual Key Cloning for Touchscreen Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating, displaying, and using virtual keys on touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient, leading to a cognitive burden on users and excessive energy consumption, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and interface that allows for a key cloning mode on touch-sensitive devices, enabling users to select and duplicate virtual keys, which can be activated independently of the primary virtual keyboard, maintaining their functionality even when the keyboard is hidden, and allowing for repositioning and combination of key clones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the virtual keyboard is displayed continuously to provide easy access to keys, then the ease of operation is improved, but the display area is wasted and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual keyboard is segmented into individual keys that can be independently accessed. Users can summon only the specific key needed rather than displaying the entire keyboard, reducing energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation for frequently used keys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by creating a clone of the needed key in advance and placing it in an accessible location on the display. This allows the key to be immediately available when needed without requiring the full keyboard to be displayed or reloaded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the virtual keyboard is hidden to save display space and energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the cognitive burden on users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A copy (clone) of the needed key is created and displayed independently of the full keyboard. This copy maintains all the functionality of the original key, allowing users to access key functions without the cognitive burden of navigating a hidden or full keyboard display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The key clone acts as an intermediary between the user and the full virtual keyboard. It provides immediate access to the needed function while the full keyboard remains hidden, eliminating the cognitive burden of keyboard navigation while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the full virtual keyboard is displayed to provide all key functions, then the productivity is improved, but the display area is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard functionality is segmented and displayed only when needed. Individual keys or groups of keys can be summoned to the display area, providing full functionality for needed operations while leaving the rest of the display area available for other content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needed key is prepared in advance as a clone and displayed before the user needs it. This ensures immediate productivity when the key is needed while minimizing display area usage by keeping the clone small and localized rather than displaying the full keyboard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the virtual keyboard is frequently shown and hidden, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The key clone is created in advance and remains on the display until needed or manually removed. This eliminates the time loss associated with repeatedly showing and hiding the full keyboard, while the system remains adaptable by allowing users to summon different keys as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the display by creating and removing key clones based on user needs. This provides adaptability to different typing scenarios while minimizing time loss by avoiding the repetitive show-hide cycle of the full keyboard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8621379B2Device, method, and graphical user interface for creating and using duplicate virtual keys

Publication Date: 2013.12.31 APPLE INC

AI summary

A method for duplicating and using virtual keys includes displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality of keys. The method also includes detecting a first input to the device that activates a key cloning mode. The method further includes: while in the key cloning mode, detecting selection of a first key on the virtual keyboard; and in response to detecting selection of the first key, displaying a duplicate of the first key. The method further includes detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key; and, in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key, performing an action in accordance with the first key.